Sails & Sardines

Watching sailfish hunt, demonstrates a fish that is highly evolved for its specialized function. Excited, their colours switch on and with their large dorsal fin, they appear to purposefully herd their prey. Their "Sails" darken along with the rest of their bodies only separated by lighter stripes, giving the illusion of bubbles. This visual display confuses the baitfish as they swim tightly together toward the surface, forming the phenomena of a baitball. At this point the little fish are trapped and the sailfish now pick off the sardines, often stunning them as they thrash their bills.